Donald L. Nelson

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Donald Leslie Nelson was born December 16, 1925, on the family farm in Eagle Twp., Richland Co., ND, to Arthur and Alice (Erickson) Nelson. He grew up in Eagle Township and graduated from Christine, ND, high school.
Donald was a veteran of WW II, having served in the United States Army with the Occupation Forces stationed in Naples, Italy. He married Teresa Rippo, October 30, 1946 in Naples, Italy. The couple lived on a farm near Christine, ND, until 1960 when they purchased a cafe in Abercrombie, ND. Donald continued to farm and operate the Aber cafe until he retired in 1980.
Donald was a longtime member of the Wolverton Evangelical Free Church. He came to know the Lord personally as a young man when he attended one of the local revival meetings. His faith was important to him throughout his life and helped sustain him his past weeks in the hospital. Donald passed away at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND, on Monday, April 21, 2008, at eighty-two years of age.
Donald was very proud of his 63-year membership in the American Legion. Donald enjoyed attending auction sales, flea markets, and collecting antiques. He loved socializing and made many friends from his years in the cafe and from taking in all of the area sales, community suppers, Wahpeton Eagles fish fries and special small town celebrations. Relaxing and fishing at his cabin on Crane Lake were favorite pastimes and he never outgrew his love for reading. Donald was content with the simple things in life. He seldom missed morning coffee or noon dinner at the Aber Community Hall. His friendships there were very important to him. He was always ready to go for a drive and liked to sing when in the car. He loved to tell a good story or joke. A twinkle came into his eyes when he was about to share a new one he had heard. He was a "go-to" person for family history and knew who had lived on every farmstead around the country. In his later years he amazed his family with his strong will and determination to stay independent, to get up every day, get dressed, and out the door to go for coffee or to church, not letting his failing health stop him. Donald's best times were when he could be with his family. He loved them very much, and always wanted to keep up with what was going on with everyone. He would never think of missing a family event. He enjoyed traveling around the country by car or plane taking in many of these events. Many precious memories were also created throughout the years when the family gathered for holidays, birthdays, weddings and family dinners. He was greatly loved by them and his steady, quiet, presence will be greatly missed.
Survivors include four children, Richard (Diane) Nelson of Grand Forks, ND; Cia (Mel) Nelson of Fargo; Pam (Gerry) Hall of Tyler, TX, and Brent (Laurel) Nelson of Fergus Falls, MN; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Joel (Mindi) Nelson and
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Teresa, on June 17, 1983; and an infant daughter, Linda.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 2:00 PM in Eagle Valley Evangelical Free Church, rural Christine.
Interment will be in Eagle Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be at the church on Friday evening from 5 to 7 PM.